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Psychiatric Technicians Salary in North Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Psychiatric Technicians salary really buy you in North Carolina?

North Carolina is 5.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$40,630
Median annual (2025)
+6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$43,131
COL-adjusted (RPP=94.2)

North Carolina Cost of Living Index

North Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 94.2, meaning prices are 5.8% lower the national average. A Psychiatric Technicians earning $40,630 in North Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $43,131 in an average-cost US state.

NC: 94.2
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $33,900 $35,987 +$2,087
25th Percentile (P25) $37,560 $39,872 +$2,312
Median (P50) $40,630 $43,131 +$2,501
75th Percentile (P75) $45,880 $48,704 +$2,824
90th Percentile (P90) $50,530 $53,641 +$3,111
Key Insight

A Psychiatric Technicians in North Carolina earns $40,630 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 6% further — like earning $43,131 in an average-cost state. This makes North Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

North Carolina Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 94.2

With an RPP of 94.2, North Carolina is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Psychiatric Technicians is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+6.2%

After applying North Carolina's RPP, the $40,630 median salary translates to $43,132 in real terms — a 6.2% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Psychiatric Technicians.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#37 / 49

North Carolina ranks #37 of 49 — bottom quartile for Psychiatric Technicians real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Psychiatric Technicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does Psychiatric Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$63,886
RPP 89.8
$57,830
RPP 116.6
3. Oregon
$56,116
RPP 106.6
$53,977
RPP 107.6
$52,161
RPP 106.4
6. Alaska
$50,637
RPP 102.0
$50,318
RPP 91.1
8. Hawaii
$49,774
RPP 110.8
$49,669
RPP 108.8
10. Kansas
$48,644
RPP 90.0

North Carolina ranks #37 out of 49 states for Psychiatric Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Psychiatric Technicians take-home pay in North Carolina after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Psychiatric Technicians in North Carolina after cost of living?

A Psychiatric Technicians in North Carolina earns a median salary of $40,630 per year. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (RPP=94.2), the real purchasing power is $43,131 — a +6.2% difference.

Is North Carolina expensive to live in?

North Carolina's cost of living is 5.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for North Carolina is 94.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Psychiatric Technicians in North Carolina: $40,630 x (100 / 94.2) = $43,131. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Psychiatric Technicians in North Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Psychiatric Technicians in North Carolina enjoys 6.2% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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